this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2025
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cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/35967051

Most people turn to a VPN for one reason: privacy. And with its verified badge, featured placement, and 100k+ installs, FreeVPN.One looked like a safe choice. But once it’s in your browser, it’s not working to keep you safe, it’s continuously watching you.

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[–] Zetta@mander.xyz 11 points 23 hours ago (2 children)

Generally speaking, if you're paying for a VPN, then you should be paying for a provider that is no log. Free VPNs, you get what you pay for, which is nothing. So you don't really get any security with that.

[–] callouscomic@lemmy.zip 2 points 16 hours ago

I've watched this go down long enough in enough industries to know better than to believe their claim of not logging.

You're being watched. Hell, your data's probably being handed over to cops without your knowledge.

[–] SoftestSapphic@lemmy.world 4 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago) (4 children)

How do we know the "no log" VPNs don't log our activity?

Also any recommendations? I can't find one that says they don't log and refuse to cooperate with 14eyes.

[–] Zetta@mander.xyz 4 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 19 hours ago) (1 children)

ProtonVPN is no log and so is Mullvad I think. Basically it's mostly reputation, some also pay for outside audits of their systems so they can more effectively boast.

No log vpns probably do cooperate with authorities, but the fact that they are no log means they don't provide anything. They get a warrant for logs and identification, they comply and send a letter "we have no logs, or way to trace the identity of a user".

[–] callouscomic@lemmy.zip 2 points 16 hours ago

And character is like a tree and reputation is a shadow of it, and it takes a hell of a lot less to bring it down than to grow it up.

[–] Natanael@infosec.pub 3 points 21 hours ago

Best you got is recurring audits

[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 2 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago)

Many VPN companies post audits, and build up reputations. Not that I'd recommend it specificlly (since I only use it for a lifetime subscription I bought in a sale), but FastestVPN advertises the former.

...I guess it depends what you're doing, too. If you're, like, a government whistleblower, you might want to look into Mullad layered with something else instead of a more traditional commercial provider.